Summer Garden Camp

Project PLANTS Summer Camp
Collaboration between the JC Raulston Arboretum, NC Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Grow For It Program, and the Department of Horticultural Science and Generously Supported by a Student Science Enrichment Program Grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund

Monday, July 20, 2015 through Friday, July 24, 2015 – 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Fewer youth are choosing agriculture as a career choice and have several misconceptions about agriculture. Because of their limited understanding of agricultural systems and current trends to begin choosing career paths before high school, programs aimed to expose middle school students to the various aspects of agriculture are necessary to generate qualified applicants to current and future positions in the state 's industry.

Project PLANTS (Planting Leaders in Agriculture and Nature Through Science) is a two part program that immerses students in an intensive one week summer program broadening their knowledge of horticultural sciences and an after-school program that extends their exploration through the school year. Activities during the summer will build upon the rising seventh grade students ' knowledge from their sixth grade studies and strengthen their critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and scientific research abilities. In addition to increasing their attitude toward the sciences, the program aims to foster connections between students and higher-level education institutions and the industry. Students will participate in hands-on learning that weaves life skills development into the sciences and research. The summer experience will generate a research project for each student to develop and conduct during the school year with guidance from mentors and participation in an afterschool 4-H club (transportation can be provided). The culminating event will be a Garden Symposium where students present their research alongside researchers from universities, public gardens, and the industry.

Rising seventh grade students will be chosen through a process involving self-nomination and teacher recommendation. Students participating in Project PLANTS will have shown an aptitude and interest in the biological sciences. University professors, staff, grad students, and community volunteers will make up the mentors and instructors helping to provide the summer experience as well as the school year programming. Overall, Project PLANTS is a program designed to increase students ' excitement for the sciences, elevate students ' image of horticulture from gardening to the dynamic scientific field it truly is, and connect middle school students to higher level education opportunities and industry in the state.

Age

Rising 7th graders.

Cost

The cost of the program is $30.00 with financial assistance available.

Registration

Registration is closed for this event.

Location

JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Directions

Need directions? Click here.

Parking

Camp drop off and pick up is at the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center.

Questions

Please contact the program coordinator, Melanie McCaleb at (919) 412-7537 or melanie_mccaleb@ncsu.edu.